Chapter 468 A Step to Strike Back (2/2)
The whole process was as smooth as an industrial assembly line.
Viktor was astonished even though he was clear of Rhode's abilities. However, the capabilities of a leader and his men weren't necessarily proportional. This was especially so for Rhode who had established his guild for only a few months. Viktor was concerned about Rhode sending unsuitable men for the mission, but he realized that these mercenaries were far more impressive than he had imagined. They weren't as clumsy and inexperienced. Instead, they performed in an organized and disciplined manner with rich combat experience that complemented each other. According to Viktor's observations, these mercenaries were more powerful than the elites of his Cole Falcon Guild.
How is this possible? Where exactly did this young man come from?
Viktor had never thought that mercenaries recruited for only a few months would be able to perform as though they had been together for several years. Besides, they were this familiar with the intersection point… Viktor couldn't help but suspect that Rhode had been doing something illegal. For instance, passing through the intersection point to engage in smuggling transactions with the Country of Darkness… If not, why were his men so familiar with this place?
Of course, now wasn't the time for jokes.
Joey returned to Rhode's side by running across the smooth, wet rocks agilely without any pauses. It seemed that he had gained a lot in the battle training. ”Boss, my men have finished their investigations. Those guys seem to be around the bottom and halfway up the mountain. There are about 60 of them including sentries at the mountain junction. We have limited manpower so we couldn't continue our observation. But it seems that that's about all for their strength.”
”Good.” Rhode nodded in acknowledgment. He gazed at the nearby mountain before him that was shrouded in fog. ”Mr. Viktor, what do you think?”
”Either we can sneak our way up the mountain to catch them off guard and escort the Chairman's group back to the city or we can raid them to attract their attention. Then, my men can act together with yours and deal them a painful blow. This way, the enemy's encirclement will scatter and it will be much easier for us to proceed,” explained Viktor.
”Good idea, Mr. Viktor,” Rhode nodded. ”But your method is rather risky. Mr. Viktor, you mentioned that these guys have a close relationship with the current group of people in the city who are trying to seize the power of the parliament. So, if we start a frontal battle now, they would most likely alert their companions in the city and we will be in trouble…”
”Do you have a solution, Mr. Rhode?” Viktor nodded. In fact, he was worried about this problem too. However, he had no choice but to suggest this plan because Rhode brought along 30 men only while Viktor had about a dozen men left with the Chairman's group. They would definitely lose in the number game, but…
”Kill them all,” replied Rhode firmly.
”Eh?” If it weren't for the loud downpour, Viktor would have thought that he had misheard Rhode's words. He gazed at Rhode while Rhode continued his sentence. ”Although Mr. Viktor's idea is good, I think a better choice would be to raid them directly, attract their attention, and wipe them all out at once. We only have two days before the parliament meeting begins and we have no time to waste on playing hide and seek. We have to raid and annihilate them before they can even alert those in the city…”
Rhode glanced towards his left at the uneven mountains that were covered in shadows, blocking his vision. Soraka Mountain City was located just behind the mountains and although the mountains were usually huge obstacles for Rhode, they became the best barriers in this instance.
”It's a good opportunity tonight… The storm is strong and it makes it easier for us…” Rhode paused. ”Mr. Viktor, this is my plan. In a while, both of us will meet up with your men in their hidden location. Then, we need to try and force a breakout. This way, we can gather most of the enemies' strength and as long as we handle it well, we shouldn't have a big problem wiping them all out. What do you think?”
Viktor pondered for a few moments. Got to say, this indeed was a good solution. However, Viktor was concerned about manpower issues so he didn't mention it beforehand. Now that Rhode had suggested it… Was he really that confident with his men?
Viktor wasn't aware that the reason why Rhode suggested this wasn't just to prevent the city from facing problems. Instead, Rhode knew better than anyone else what the Country of Light was up to. Even if Rhode couldn't exterminate them entirely, it was hard to guarantee that these guys would put up a life and death struggle and come up with anything that could incite conflicts. In order to avoid the possibility of driving them into taking desperate actions, Rhode wished to eliminate their strength as much as possible. As long as Rhode could cut off their limbs, it would be meaningless for the Country of Light no matter how devious their minds were.
”No problem, I agree.” Viktor nodded because he had no other choice other than to believe in Rhode and his men.
”Good.” The corners of Rhode's mouth twitched. He turned over and instructed Joey softly. Soon, the young Thief disappeared into the rain while Rhode donned a black mask he retrieved from the inside of his cloak. ”Alright then, let's go, Mr. Viktor.”